The Bears waived punter Trenton Gill on Wednesday, shortly after drafting Tory Taylor, a move widely anticipated given the team’s significant investment in Taylor with a fourth-round draft pick. Field Yates was the first to report the move.
Gill, whom the Bears selected in the seventh round of the 2022 draft, had a promising rookie season but struggled in the following year. His 38.0 net yards per punt in the previous season ranked last in the league, with a touchback rate of 11.9%, tied for third-worst, and a 26.9% rate of punts inside the 20-yard line, ranking fourth-worst.
After drafting Iowa P Tory Taylor, the Bears have now waived P Trenton Gill.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 1, 2024
In contrast, Taylor boasts a remarkable leg strength, holding several NCAA records from his time at Iowa. His career average of 46.3 yards per punt and his 4,479 total punt yards in 2023 are both historical highs. Taylor also excels in precision, with 32 punts inside the 20-yard line and 29 fair catches induced during the 2023 season.
Taylor’s exceptional performance earned him unanimous All-American honors last year and the Ray Guy Award, recognizing him as the nation’s top punter.
